The act of broadcasting or publishing news in real-time, usually involving important events that are happening or have just happened. Breaking news often requires the immediate reporting of new information that may have significant public impact, such as a natural disaster, accident, or political event. Due to its urgency, breaking news often interrupts regular non-news programming and may require stations to broadcast breaking updates on their website or social media feeds. Journalists may also face ethical considerations when reporting breaking news, such as balancing the need for speed and accuracy with their responsibility to avoid sensationalism or spreading misinformation.
A good breaking news article is concise and clear, using a straightforward style. It should include a lead, which grabs the audience’s attention and clearly defines the story’s scope. The body of the article should follow a standard format, including an inverted pyramid structure, wherein the most newsworthy information is placed at the beginning and the least important details are placed at the end. The article should also include quotes from experts or witnesses to add credibility and perspective.
News articles are written from a third-person point of view, as opposed to fiction or essays, which use first-person. They should be free from bias and avoid emotive language or opinionated statements, and they should be sourced from trustworthy, reliable sources. When possible, the article should be backed up by data or official records. This will help readers verify the accuracy of the content.